Michael Hill says Marlins will overcome mistakes, get on a roll

Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill remains optimistic about the season.

The Marlins just completed a 2-4 road trip, dropping their record to 11-14, 2-10 away from Marlins Park. But Hill sees progress, especially from a team that dropped 100 games last season.
“At this point I really believe a lot of mistakes we’ve made we’ll learn from them and it will benefit us come later in the summer,” Hill said. “Part of that whole growth and maturation of a roster, we’ve gotten right out of the box which you can’t always say. But this is a resilient team, a tough team that plays hard day-in, day-out, even after tough losses. And we’ve had our share of tough losses to say the least. But that’s what makes a team battle-tested. I think that’s what’s going to help us in the long run.

“I completely believe we haven’t seen the best of this team. There’s a lot of talent. When we consistently minimize the mistakes against good teams you’re going to see us on a roll. You haven’t seen us. As long as we pitch we can play with anybody.”

The Marlins got outstanding starting pitching on the trip, until Tom Koehler struggled in Sunday’s 4-0 loss. The hitting was spotty and the defense has been a disappointment. The Marlins are hitting .215 on the road, 25th in the majors, and have scored just 32 runs, 26th. At home they are second in the majors with a .293 average and third with 76 runs.

“We put a huge focus on improving our offense,” Hill said. “(We’re) still a very productive offense. It’s just part of that growth of guys being productive in an uncomfortable environment. Nobody is going to be cheering for us on the road. You’re not going to get that pick-up energy on the road and you’ve got to find a way. That’s what (manager Mike Redmond) preaches, especially (hitting coach Frank Menechino) with our offense. We’ve been putting ourselves in position. We just need to get the hit.”

One of the biggest disappointments has been the defense. The Marlins have 24 errors, more than all but three teams.

“Our defense hasn’t been great to this point,” Hill said. “Late innings we’ve had some missteps. But that’s all part of the process of a team gelling and coming together. I truly believe we’re going to benefit from that as we get later in the summer.”

The Marlins are hoping to take advantage of a nine-game home stand (three games each against the Braves, Dodgers and Mets) that starts Tuesday with Jose Fernandez on the mound. Fernandez is 11-0 at home.

Furcal facing another long rehab

Do not expect Rafael Furcal to make his Marlins debut anytime soon.

The fragile second baseman was shut down again, this time after suffering a right groin injury on Friday while he was rehabbing a left hamstring injury for Class AA Jacksonville. The Marlins are not sure when Furcal will get back on the field and then they are looking at another long rehab.

Furcal, 36, has not played since August of 2012 when he injured his elbow while with the Cardinals. He then underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2013 and missed the entire 2013 season. The Marlins signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million contract to fill the second base void.

Instead, Derek Dietrich now will man the position, despite his declining defense that has led to four errors, three at second base, one at third base, and several other shaky plays. Dietrich’s average also has dropped to .267 after going 1 for his last 10.

Dietrich was expected to start the season in Class AAA if Furcal was healthy.

The Marlins will have a decision to make when Ed Lucas returns from the broken bone in his hand that has kept him out all season. Lucas has started playing minor league games.

Lucas made the team primarily as a backup infielder out of spring training before he was hit by a pitch, which caused the injury. He beat out Donovan Solano. Solano was recalled and is hitting .238 (5-for-21), mainly in a backup role but with four starts. Lucas, though, can play almost every position on the field and be used as the emergency catcher.